California State Library (CSL)

Contact

• Phone: 916-653-7843

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Description

The California State Library, a California public research institution, provides its customers with the accurate, up-to-date information they need to do their jobs easily, quickly, and confidently. Whether you are an elected official, a state employee, a representative of one of California's libraries, a person with special reading needs or a member of the general public, the California State Library is here for you. Our staff, including librarians, researchers, and consultants are at your service.

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Services

Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL)

BTBL is a branch of the California State Library which cooperates with the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). BTBL has braille and audio book titles similar to what you would find at your public library. The library also offers magazines, movies, newspapers and more! Services are free to all eligible readers. Books (and the equipment needed to use the library’s audio books) are mailed postage-free to and from library patrons. There are no fines or fees for overdue or lost materials.

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California History Room

The California History Room’s collections document the state’s significant and complex past, providing an expansive view of California through photographs, maps, manuscripts, diaries, newspapers, periodicals, sheet music, post cards, microforms, posters, pamphlets, programs, and other materials.

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California Research Bureau

The mission of the California Research Bureau is to provide nonpartisan and confidential public policy research for the Governor’s Office and the State Legislature.

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Government Publications Section

The Government Publications Section provides the public with free and open access to government information, providing a single primary location for government documents and information assistance. We are the regional depository of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) in California and a full depository for California state government publications distributed under the Library Distribution Act. Our Patent and Trademark Resource Center librarians offer patent search training and information from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

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General Collection

The State Library's Information Services Section manages the largest share of the four million book collection. Topics range from governmental efficiency and crop management to women's suffrage and the world history.

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Witkin State Law Library

The Witkin State Law Library offers an extensive collection of primary and secondary legal sources with a focus on California law. Primary sources from California’s beginnings aid the Legislature and state agencies in tracing legislative or regulatory histories, and practice guides and court briefs aid lawyers and those proceeding pro se. Our rare and frequently consulted collections include virtually all California legislation dating back to 1867, superseded California Codes, and the California Code of Regulations Supplement and Notice Register. Extending beyond California, we have materials relating to other states, federal legislation, and even historical and international law.